Timing relay



Jan. 14, 1947.

w. F. HURLBURT 2,414,305

TIMING RELAY Filed Dec. 29, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 14, 1947. w. F. HURLBURT 2,414,305

TIMING RELAY Filed Dec. 29, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 17 I A I e a 12 24 18 o A .9

INVENTOR.

W. F. HURLBURT Jan. 14,' 1947.

TIMING RELAY Filed D60. 29, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. a/uvfimk VIII I H Patented Jan. 14, 1947 is UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to timing relays that are commonly used for many purposes such as for controlling the acceleration of motors, controlling the starting of auxiliary engine driven generators, controlling emergency power and lighting transfer switches, controlling operating sequences of various kinds of machines, X-ray apparatus, etc.

In general, my invention relates to an improved form of electrically operated timing relay in which the controlled displacement of a body of gas or liquid is used in combination with a sprin loaded diaphragm thereby providing for adjustable time delay between the closing (energization) or the opening (de-energization) of one circuit hereafter called the first circuit and the closing or opening. of another circuit, called the second circuit.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a, relay which will operate properly over long periods of time in damp, dusty, or corrosive atmosphere without requiring servicing or repairs, which has been accomplished by enclosing the switch contacts and all other Working parts in a permanently hermetically-sealed chamber thereby preventing access of moisture, dust, fumes,'etc. Adjusting means extends outside of this chamber for controlling the said displacement of the body of gas or liquid within said chamber.

An important advantage is that the timing is not affected by variations in voltages of any operating circuit or changes in temperature of the operating coil, due to the duration of its excitation or for other causes.

Another object is to provide a convertible structure such that it can be readily adapted (by adding a minimum of additional parts) for timing of the opening or closing of the second circuit after either closing or opening the first circuit It can likewise be used with either gas or liquid and when used with gas the maximum timing period will be shorter than when used with liquid because it will in the case of gas be afiected to a minimum degree by external temperature variations.

When using liquid the maximum timing period will be longer but subject to some variations due to temperature changes in surrounding atmosphere due to changes in viscosity of the liquid, aging, etc. An important advantage secured by my timing relay, when used with liquid, over others is that it can be shipped filled with liquid and ready for service, whereas most others require filling with liquid after installation.

' In the drawings as an illustration of the prinof fluid through orifice ciple employed I disclose a motor spring put under tension in one instance by a solenoid located in the first circuit and released thereafter, when the first circuit is opened, and also another arrangement effected by the addition of a few additional parts whereby the motor spring is put under tension when the solenoid is de-energized and released when the solenoid is energized by closing said first circuit.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a front elevation showing cover plate in position such that the motor is energized by a solenoid and the timing of the delay will be thereafter accomplished.

Figure 2 is a side elevation.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on lines AB of Fig.

Figure 4 is on lines CD of Fig. 1 showing relay set for timing by energized solenoid.

Figure 5 is also taken on lines CD Fig. 1 but discloses parts set for timing by de-energization of solenoid but operating when solenoid is energized.

Figure 6 is a sectional diagrammatic view for disclosing parts in position for timing, the solenoid being de-energized due to the circuit being open.

Figure 7 is a similar view, thesolenoid being shown energized and showing parts set for timing when solenoid is de-energized.

Figure 8 is a similar view showing parts set for timing but operating when solenoid is energized, the solenoid being de-energized with motor under tension.

Figure 9 is a similar view showing parts in position for timing showing solenoid energized and motor tension released for operation.

Like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the difierent views.

Referring to the diagrammatic views, Figures 6 to 9 inclusive, the terminals for a second electric circuit are marked I, 2 and 3 and the solenoid consisting of the core 4 and coil 5 is in the first circuit. An adjustable plug controls the passage I, the channels or grooves l5 and I6 connecting the non return valve passage 8 with said orifice. Spring I0 is a motor spring for moving the diaphragm 9 which separates outer chamber l2 from inner chamber l3. A crank arm lever is mounted on an extension of the cover plate 2|, the extension being V- shaped and supporting the main spring l0, one end of said spring being connected to the diaphragm 9, the other end being secured to said extension. An auxiliary spring is shown in Figs.

8 and 9. A lug or projection I 8 extends from said diaphragm for throwing the switch I! (Figure 6) to a position connecting terminal I and 2. The collar I9 is secured to the core stem 4 (Figs. 8 and 9), the core stem and spring II being additions necessary to adapt the relay for certain conditions as explained hereafter. The body portion 28 has a cover plate 2| secured thereto, but capable of being rotated, as more fully explained hereafter, thereby rotating the extension and parts secured thereto.

The cover plate clamp the diaphragm against the outer face of body portion 20 and the chamber I2 is on one side of diaphragm and chamber I3 is on the other side. The plate 23 encloses the cavity within which are located terminals I, 2 and 3. The functions and modes of operation are as follows:

Body portion 20 and cover 2| have the flexible impervious diaphragm 9 mounted between them, which by its position forms two separate chambers I2 and I3 with the inter-communicating passage I6 and i5. Spring I is 50 arranged that when not restrained by solenoid core I4, it will force diaphragm 9 into the chamber I2 in such a manner as to reduce the volume of chamber I2 to the minimum thereby increasing the pressure of the fluid such as air, gas, or liquid in said chamber.

The double throw switch I! is positioned in chamber I2 and mounted on the insulating plate 23 so as to be operated by part I8. That switch is of the quick make and break type and may be of different commercial forms such as now on the market and in Figures 3, 4 and 5 it is the manufacture known as Acme switch and termed a midget switch with a slight modification.

The core tube 22 which extends from the body portion 20 is of nonmagnetic material and is mounted in such a manner that its interior forms a part of chamber IS, the solenoid being of the packless type.

The novel arrangement of this timing device provides for economical production, one being shown in ,Figs. 4, 6 and 7 and the other in Figs. 5, 8 and 9 and as hereafter explained one is readily convertible into the other form by simply rotating cover portion 2! one hundred and eighty degrees around axis of diaphragm 9, thus reversing positions of non-return valve 8 and orifice valve 6 and likewise reversing position of crank arm or lever I4 thereby putting it in lower part of chamber I 3 as shown in Fig. 5.

Likewise guide 24 will be reversed so that the top of said guide in Fig. 4 will become the bottom in Fig. 5, guide 24 not being shown in Figs. 6 and 7 but obviously it can be attached permanently to the bracket as in Fig. 4.

The stem of core I4 of Figure 4 will be removed and an auxiliary stem and spring II be substituted.

The auxiliary stem positioned through guide 24 (Figs. 8 and 9) with the auxiliary sprin II, encircling said stem, has its lower part contacting a collar and its upper part bearing against the top part of said guide. Spring H after being compressed will exert sufilcient pressure to compress main spring I6, as hereafter explained.

Figs. 4, 6 and '7 show the relay arranged for timing the delaying movement after opening circult, i. e., after de-energization. The mode of operation is as follows:

When coil 5 is energized (Figure 6) by application of current to leads L, L2, the core 4 is drawn upwards until stopped by contact with upper end 4 of core tube or extension 22 as shown in Fig. 7. The movement of core 4 is transmitted through crank arm I4 to diaphragm 9, simultaneously compressing spring I8, thereby moving diaphragm into chamber I3 against the tension of said spring I0. This results in reducing the volume of chamber I3 and increasing the volume of chamber I2. This relative change in the volumes of chambers I2 and I3 results in lowering the pressure in chamber I2 and raises the pressure in chamber I3 which is subsequently equalized by flow from chamber I3 through non-return valve 8 and passage I6 to chamber I2. While coil 5 remains energized the parts remain in the position shown in Figure 7 the switch making contact with terminals I and 3.

When coil 5 is de-energized core becomes free to move releasing tension of spring II] which acts to force diaphragm towards chamber I2 reducing its volume and increasing pressure in chamber I2 and reducing pressure in chamber I3,.the pressures being equalized by discharges through passage I5 and adjustable orifice I to chamber I2 thereby permitting regulated timing of the movement of diaphragm 9, the speed of movement being determined by rates of reduction of pressure in chamber I2 as regulated by rate of flow through orifice 'I. Part I8 attached to diaphragm 9 moves with it and when near the end of its movement in chamber I2 said part I8 contacts switch I! thus openin circuit between terminals I and 3 and closing the said circuit between I and 2.

It thus appears that the relay functions to open and/or close the electrical second circuits 2.

redetermined timeafter opening of first circuit, i. e., after coil 5 is de-energized.

Figures 5, 8 and 9 disclose the parts of the relay arranged for timing after energization of coil 5, i. e., after closing the first circuit. Referring to Fig. 9, when coil is de-energized core 4 is free to drop under influence of spring I I carrying with it collar I9 which transmits through crank arm sufiicient tension to compress spring I0 and move diaphragm into chamber I3 reducing the volume of chamber I3 increasing its pressure and decreasing the pressure in chamber I2 and these pressures become equalized by flow from chamber I8 to chamber I2 through non-return valve 8 and passage I6. While coil 5 remains de-energized, the parts remain in positions shown in Figure 8, the switch Il closing the circuit between I and 3, but when the coil 5 is energized core 4 is drawn upwardly until stopped by end of extension 22 as shown in Fig. 9. Core 4 carries with it collar I9 thus compressing spring I I and simultaneously relieving crank arm from pressure of that spring which permits spring I0 to act to force diaphragms 9 towards chamber I2 increasing pressure in that chamber and decreasing pressure in chamber I3, the pressure in chamber I2 being thereafter relieved through passage I5 and adjustable orifice I. In this way there is regulated timing of the movement of diaphragm 9, the speed of movement being determined by rates of reduction of pressure in chamber I2 as regulated by rate of now through orifice I. Part I8 attached to diaphragm 9 moves with it and when near the end of its movement in chamber I2 said part I8 contacts switch I! thus opening circuit between terminals I and 3 and closing the said circuit between I and 2.

It thus appears that the relay functions to open and/or close the electrical second circuits a predetermined time after closing of first circuit,

i. e., after coil 5 is energized. In the position of parts as shown in Fig. 6 the diaphragm is moved outwardly to close the terminals when the solenoid is de-energized, and inwardly when the solenoid is energized. This sequence of movement is changed by the arrangements of parts shown in Fig. 8 for the diaphragm is thereby moved inwardly to open the 2d circuit when the solenoid circuit is opened. This change from Fig. 6 to Fig. 8 is readily accomplished by removing cover, then disengaging the crank arm I4 from the pis ton stem, thereafter inserting spring H in guide 24 and the additional section of piston stem, replacing cover after rotating same 180 from its original position.

Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for other types of timing relays and other uses by retaining substantially the various characteristics of parts of the generic or specific aspects of the invention and therefore such adaptations should be and are to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents.

For instance, rotatable spring and crank arm supporting member need not be mounted on cover 2| but may be mounted on some other part.

I claim:

A compact, portable and convertible timing relay having all working parts and switch contacts contained within a permanently hermetically sealed chamber, consisting of an enclosing casing, a rotatable and movable supporting plate forming a cover for said casing, electric switch contact members, fluid passages and valve members, including an adjustable member projecting exteriorly of said casing, all carried by said rotatable support plate, a solenoid within said casing, a v-shaped extension projecting from and carried by said supporting plate a main spring embraced by said extension, a guide member secured to said extension, capable of projecting in a predetermined direction in one position of said plate and in an opposite direction when said plate is retated degrees for converting said structure from one type of timing relay to another and different type, in combination with a crank arm having a forked member for engaging the solenoid, said crank arm being also supported by said supporting plate and being capable of guiding an auxiliary spring and rod positioned between said solenoid and crank arm, a diaphragm clamped to said casing by said supportin plate normally actuated by said main spring and solenoid but capable of being actuated by an auxiliary spring and solenoid, when said plate is rotated 180 degrees, the switch contacts being opened and closed by said diaphragm.

WILBUR F. HURLBURT. 

